Partner

Brian A. Coleman is a partner in the firm's Commercial Litigation, Intellectual Property and Insurance Practice Groups, with a nationwide practice in complex commercial litigation.  Brian has substantial experience at the trial and appellate levels in both federal and state courts, in particular with trademark, professional liability insurance and employee benefits litigation.

Intellectual Property Litigation.  Brian's intellectual property litigation practice includes the prosecution and defense of trademark infringement and dilution claims, as well as claims of trade dress infringement, copyright infringement, false advertising and unfair competition, licensing and trade secrets disputes, and related state law claims.  He regularly litigates matters in federal courts nationwide for Fortune 500 clients as well as smaller companies, and also handles numerous inter partes proceedings before the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board.

Professional Liability Insurance Litigation.  With the firm’s Insurance Practice Group, Brian has litigated complex professional liability insurance coverage cases on behalf of insurers in state and federal courts nationwide, and before arbitration tribunals.  Brian is particularly experienced in handling coverage disputes involving D&O policies, EPL policies and fiduciary liability policies.

Employee Benefits Litigation.  Brian represents employee benefit plans and plan fiduciaries in connection with ERISA-governed group disability and life plans.  Brian has successfully defended against scores of benefit claims, particularly in the federal courts of Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, most frequently on behalf of plan insurers and claim administrators.

In General.  Brian is admitted to practice in the state and federal courts of Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia, as well as in the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, Fourth Circuit and Ninth Circuit.  Prior to joining Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, Brian served as a law clerk to The Hon. Frank E. Schwelb of the District of Columbia Court of Appeals for the 1997-1998 term.